Courtesy photo
Jessica Thorsen, right, with Yooper Farmhouse, LLC, talks with a customer at last year’s Escanaba Farmers Market. Thorsen offers unique handmade products such as goat milk soaps and caramels. The Escanaba Farmers Market opens Saturday, June 1.
ESCANABA — The Escanaba Farmers Market kicks off its new season today, June 1, at the Escanaba Marketplace with unique products that are available early in the season.
Market Manager Judy Schroeder said there has been a lot of early response from vendors so far this year.
“Everyone is anxious. I’m getting quite a few calls looking for information and how to join,” Schroeder said. “I got a call yesterday from a lady looking to sell raspberries, so that got me excited.”
Information on how to be a vendor is available at escanabadaa.org or before the market on Saturday.
Jessica Thorsen is among the vendors. She and her husband Dave raise goats at the Yooper Farmhouse in Delta County. They craft various homemade goat milk soaps and other products that they sell at the Escanaba Farmers Market.
One of the more popular products they make and sell at the market has been goat milk caramels. They turned to making caramels as they looked for ways to use their milk in ways that could be sold at a farmers market.
“Before we knew it, we were offering original and sea salt,” Thorsen said. “Now, we have different ones that we bring out throughout the year depending on the season. It’s something different.”
Even though other items such as vegetables might not be available at the farmers market until later in the season, Thorsen said people are interested in supporting locally produced foods and products.
Among the products are dog treats, bakery, jams, meats, eggs, plants and other non-food items such as towels, dyed wool, artwork and fishing lures.
Thorsen says locally produced products is why farmers markets are so popular.
“You are seeing more people looking to support local farmers. Maybe getting something they can’t get or produce themselves that they can get from a local farmer. Which is huge. If you can support local? One hundred percent, all the way,” Thorsen said.
Thorsen and other vendors are governed by the state’s Cottage Food Law that the Escanaba Farmers Market abides by.
Schroeder says some vendors may be required to have a state license to sell their products while others might to need to label their product a certain way.
“The Michigan Cottage Food Law tells them what has to be on that label. You have to list ingredients and, of course, the allergens are very important,” Schroeder said.
The Escanaba Farmers Market will be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. through the end of October.
The Wednesday farmers market follows the Lunch on Ludington music series during the summer which is held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Escanaba Marketplace. Schroeder says they hope to provide extended activities at the facility during the summer.
The Saturday market includes music by Sue Robishaw and Steve Schmeck. A Fall Festival will also beheld in October with pumpkin decorating, crafts and face painting for kids.
The Escanaba Marketplace is located at the corner of 15th and Ludington Streets.